A recent court filing has brought to light a serious medical negligence case involving multiple defendants, including a well-known distillery and several healthcare providers. On February 14, 2023, Dr. Gail Lese injured her left foot at Wigle Whiskey in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This complaint was filed by Dr. Gail Lese in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County on September 6, 2024, against Pittsburgh Spirits LLC (doing business as Wigle Whiskey), Pittsburgh Distilling Co., LLC, Victor Rizzo, D.C., Rizzo & Wiegering Chiropractic, William Wiedemer, DPM, and the Advanced Regional Center for Ankle & Foot Care.
The plaintiff's ordeal began when she stepped down from an exit at Wigle Whiskey and sustained an injury due to what she claims was a hazardous step added during a renovation. The next day, Dr. Lese sought medical attention from Dr. Victor Rizzo at Rizzo & Wiegering Chiropractic. According to the complaint, Dr. Rizzo failed to properly diagnose her condition despite taking X-rays and noting severe pain and edema in her left ankle and foot. He diagnosed her with a sprain and provided basic treatment but did not recommend further imaging or specialist consultation.
Dr. Lese's condition worsened over time, leading her to seek additional medical opinions. On April 12, 2023, she visited Dr. William Wiedemer at the Advanced Regional Center for Ankle & Foot Care who diagnosed her with a nondisplaced fracture of the second metatarsal bone in her left foot but did not order further imaging or recommend non-weight-bearing status immediately.
Subsequent visits revealed more extensive injuries including fractures that extended across multiple bones in her foot and a Lisfranc ligament tear which necessitated surgery performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gregory Meloy on June 7, 2023.
Dr. Lese accuses Wigle Whiskey of negligence for failing to comply with building codes that mandate safe entryways for patrons and alleges that this failure directly led to her injury. She also accuses Drs. Rizzo and Wiedemer of professional negligence for their inadequate medical evaluations and treatments which exacerbated her injuries.
The plaintiff is seeking damages exceeding statutory arbitration limits of Allegheny County for physical pain, mental anguish, lost wages, future medical expenses among other compensations.
Representing Dr. Gail Lese are attorneys Matthew J. Scanlon and Timothy Grant Wojton from Scanlon & Wojton LLC.